The Premier League have clarified why VAR overturned the decision to disallow Kai Havertz’s late goal for offside, securing Arsenal’s victory over Leicester City in a dramatic encounter.
In what turned out to be a thrilling match, Arsenal went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. At that point, it seemed the Gunners were on course for an easy afternoon against a struggling Leicester side.
However, the second half was far from straightforward. Just two minutes after the restart, James Justin pulled a goal back for Leicester, and the full-back scored again in the 63rd minute, firing in a superb volley to level the match at 2-2.
Leicester’s goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen, and his defence worked tirelessly to keep Arsenal at bay as the Foxes looked to snatch an unlikely point. But in the 94th minute, disaster struck for Leicester when Wilfred Ndidi deflected a corner into his own net, sending the Emirates Stadium into delirium with Arsenal ahead 3-2.
Leicester made one last push with attacking substitutions, but Arsenal capitalised in the 98th minute when Kai Havertz scored into an empty net. However, the goal was initially ruled out for offside. After a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned, with the Premier League confirming that the ball had been played by Leicester’s James Justin.
The Premier League Match Centre explained on X (formerly Twitter): “Havertz’s goal was disallowed for offside on-field. The VAR checked and confirmed that the ball was played to Havertz by the defender and recommended that the goal was awarded.”
The result lifts Arsenal to second in the Premier League table, level on points with leaders Manchester City, who had to settle for a draw against Newcastle United earlier in the day.